The International Olympic Committee has elected Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s sports minister, as its next president.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who has two gold medals from the Olympics, takes over the position from German Thomas Bach, who has been in it since 2013.
She is the youngest person to hold the position, the first African, and the first woman.
In the first round of voting, Coventry received an absolute majority of 49 of the 97 votes available, while Lord Coe, the manager of World Athletics, was one of the favourites to win Thursday’s election in Greece.
Second place Coe received eight votes and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. received twenty-eight.
Coventry is the tenth person to hold the highest office in sport and will remain in that position for at least the next eight years.
He now serves on the IOC executive board and was reportedly Bach’s favourite nominee.
Seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals have come from Coventry, including gold in the 200-meter backstroke in the 2004 and 2008 competitions.
“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” said Coventry, who beat six male rivals to win the vote.
“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.
“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”
During her election campaign Coventry pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace technology and empower athletes.
She placed particular emphasis on protecting female sport, backing a blanket ban of transgender women from competing in female Olympic sport.
Coventry has faced criticism in Zimbabwe in her capacity as sports minister since 2018, but defended her association with the government of controversial president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Governmental interference in football resulted in Fifa banning Zimbabwe from international football in 2022, while last year the United States imposed sanctions on Mnangagwa and other senior officials for corruption and human rights abuses.